Changing stem for better fit query

[tim0409]

Hi there

I have a Cannondale CAADX 105, which I’ve owned for around 10 years and it’s never felt like it fitted me particularly well. I have used it sporadically over those years, but now want to see what can be done to make it fit a bit better. I haven’t been on it for the last six months after I managed to nearly cut my finger off with a grinder, but went for a ride yesterday and I struggled to get comfy. Due to a childhood condition I have one leg shorter than the other, which is corrected by both an internal and external heel lift; I probably have the seat too high so my short leg is stretching too much, which is easily corrected. I’m 6ft but with a longer trunk and the frame is a 56.

The main issue is that I feel like I am bending down too much so would like to raise the handle bars if possible. The current stem has a 6 degree lift and is 110mm. Any ideas on where to buy a stem and how to replace it would be really helpful.

[LM240]

Possibly a proper bike fit would assist you a lot.

I believe clip in pedals may assist with the cleat adjusted with shims for the leg lengths or even different length cranks.

Nothing left to get the stem any higher by the look of it. Bigger frame possibly for higher stack height. Handlebar could possibly be angled up a bit or hoods adjusted. Slight changes in angle can make a fair bit of difference.

[frisbee]

An alternative might be to change the seat post to a zero setback one.

I feel the issue is often too long rather than too low.

[stargazer30]

First off get the seat correct. With your feet at the bottom on the pedal stroke you should have a slight bend in your knee, it should not be locked out. The saddle should be set fore/aft so that when the pedal is at 9 o'clock (as in closest to the bars), your knee should be over the centre of the pedal axle (you can use a plumb line to check it).

One that's correct see how the bars feel, if it feels too stretched and low I'd suggest you buy an adjustable stem from halfords and try playing with the angle on a few rides until you can get comfortable. Once you get it dailled in note the angle and buy a fixed stem from amazon or the like for that angle. I know from experience its hard to go by feel just sat static on the bike, you really need to try on a ride.

That should work if its close but not quite right. If its way off, you are on the wrong bike, you need something with a more relaxed geometry.

Good luck!

[klootzak]

Second the comment on getting a proper bike fit. Even just a quick session with your local bike shop might help.

If nothing else, they should be able to identify whether you're too low or too stretched out (or both), which can feel similar but should probably be dealt with separately.

Getting the saddle height right is probably the easiest thing you can play with for free and could make a surprising difference. As you drop the saddle it will come slightly closer to the handlebars anyway. But it may also be worth sliding the saddle further forward on its rails (it looks like it might be quite far back at the moment).

k

[tim0409]

Many thanks for the helpful replies. I will adjust the seat and try an adjustable stem first and see how I get on. With hindsight I should have bought a hybrid for the kind of riding I do. Ironically, my friend saw my bike 8 years ago and liked it and bought the exact same model…..he struggled to get it to fit him and sold it.

I googled bike fitting and saw a specialist shop with all the equipment to ensure the perfect fit less than a mile from where I live in Edinburgh…..I got excited until I saw the price…£299! If I was a hardcore cyclist I could see the value but I suspect my money would be better spent on getting a hybrid fitted at a local bike shop.

[oddman]

I think with your anatomical issues then if you are going to spend any time on a bike, a bike fit is going to be essential. £299 is a bit steep but I would expect a fitter to take at least half a day and probably have a review appointment. They might also be selling you new stem, saddle seatpost, shoes, orthotics and shims so the overall cost is going to be in that region or more. Might be worth seeing if there is a sports physio with a bike fitting practice near you.

Your CAADX is a very sensible base for a good all rounder as it has pretty relaxed geometry. Looks like the bars are nearly level with the saddle. Notwithstanding your anatomy most people with your dimensions should be able to get comfortable on that frame. If you feel you need to go more upright then road bike type geometry might not be for you. I can see the appeal of a hybrid and it may work for you but the kind of shop which shifts hybrids is unlikely to have specialist fitting skills.

In line seat post or shifting your saddle forwards on the rails might make reach more comfortable but will affect pedalling. Your knee on your short leg should definitely not be locking out. This is where some kind of orthotic or shim might help.

I've had at least three fitting sessions and have a sense of what's right for me. That being said, if I start riding after a lay off it still takes a while to adjust and I always feel uncomfortable as the distance goes up. Paying attention to strength and mobility off the bike is something else to consider

[Siao]

tim0409 said:

Many thanks for the helpful replies. I will adjust the seat and try an adjustable stem first and see how I get on. With hindsight I should have bought a hybrid for the kind of riding I do. Ironically, my friend saw my bike 8 years ago and liked it and bought the exact same model…..he struggled to get it to fit him and sold it.

I googled bike fitting and saw a specialist shop with all the equipment to ensure the perfect fit less than a mile from where I live in Edinburgh…..I got excited until I saw the price…£299! If I was a hardcore cyclist I could see the value but I suspect my money would be better spent on getting a hybrid fitted at a local bike shop.

That's a bit expensive, mine was about £150 (for two visits), about 4 years ago. I wouldn't expect it to be double the price now, that sounds quite expensive.

However, it was worth it, the difference it makes into cycling was great. Couldn't recommend it enough

[jamm13dodger]

£299 seems reasonable, depending on what you actually get. Its a lot if you don't cycle a lot though.
This chap does some great videos that might help but you'll have to trawl a whole bunch of them. He has previously covered someone else with one leg significantly longer than the other. https://www.youtube.com/@bikefitjames

You could also try this https://www.myvelofit.com/

to be clear, I've never used it but maybe worth a try

[addey]

Really don't think it would be sensible spending £££ on a bike fit if you plan to keep that bike? Based on what you've said, and the pictures, I don't think you would be able to get an optimum fit on that bike/frame. Try the adjustable stem and move the saddle forward as suggested by others first and maybe you can get it comfortable enough to ride. The caadx is a (cyclo-cross) race frame so the geometry will be quite aggressive I'd have thought. If you change bikes, a more upright hybrid or endurance road bike should be more suitable

[OutInTheShed]

tim0409 said:

Hi there

I have a Cannondale CAADX 105, which I’ve owned for around 10 years and it’s never felt like it fitted me particularly well. I have used it sporadically over those years, but now want to see what can be done to make it fit a bit better. I haven’t been on it for the last six months after I managed to nearly cut my finger off with a grinder, but went for a ride yesterday and I struggled to get comfy. Due to a childhood condition I have one leg shorter than the other, which is corrected by both an internal and external heel lift; I probably have the seat too high so my short leg is stretching too much, which is easily corrected. I’m 6ft but with a longer trunk and the frame is a 56.

The main issue is that I feel like I am bending down too much so would like to raise the handle bars if possible. The current stem has a 6 degree lift and is 110mm. Any ideas on where to buy a stem and how to replace it would be really helpful.
....

You might ask the question whether you actually want a drop bar bike?
A modern drop bar bike is a pretty single-minded contraption
What you're 'comfortable' with should evolve as you spend more time cycling.
I took some guidance from a mate who has cycled quite seriously for many years, you want a bike that you grow into as you put more miles on it, not something that feels better when you start out. There's a balance to be struck for those of us who don't pretend to be serious athletes.

Fiddling with a few degrees or millimetres of stem is a small change. You might want to try different frames or seatposts or cranks.
But there are plenty of longer stems of different angles on ebay

[Salted_Peanut]

jamm13dodger said:

£299 seems reasonable, depending on what you actually get […] You could also try this https://www.myvelofit.com/

I, too, recommend a bike fit and agree that £299 seems reasonable. Considering the OP’s biomechanics, it might be invaluable for injury prevention.

But if you’d rather avoid spending so much (understandably), why not try MyVeloFit? While I haven’t tried it, I have only read positive reviews.

[GiantEnemyCrab]

LBS often has £99 bike fit and there are also apps that have humans make suggestions, or AI do it also. Probably get you an 80% solution?

[tim0409]

Thanks again for all the replies.

OutInTheShed said:

You might ask the question whether you actually want a drop bar bike?

This is a really good point and something I have been thinking about today, especially after browsing different bikes. My last bike was a hybrid with flat bars and angled bar ends and I found it really comfortable. At the time I thought I wanted to cover more distance with the option of going on gravel paths, hence the decision to get a cyclocross bike.

When I was young I had a condition called Perthes Disease, which meant that one day when I woke up aged 3 or 4 I couldn’t walk anymore as the blood supply to the hip died off. I was in traction for months, and recovered well although I have a leg length discrepancy as previous mentioned as a result of low/no growth whilst the hip recovered. In an ideal world I would have a full length build up on my shoe, which would make pedalling more uniform, but I’ve had 40 years of a heel lift only. A few years ago the hospital made a mistake when modifying my shoe and the did a full sole lift; it was impossible to use as my entire biomechanics are now based around a heel lift!

I can walk for miles with my dog but struggle with jogging/running, which is why cycling is really good for me as it is low impact. Looking back I’ve never really got on with the dropped bars, so whilst adjusting them with a stem might help, it may be that I look at another, more upright, bike.

[ian in lancs]

I suggest you go for a bike fit too. James, linked above, looks good but there are plenty out there and online who may be less so.

For specific reasons I went with a highly regarded physiotherapist bike fitter, Phil Burt who was fantastic. There is also UK bike Fit in Derby. I believe they are physiotherapists too.

I’m 184cm tall and saddle on my 58cm Synapse was right for me at 80cm. Phil suggested changing the seat post from 15mm set back to 0mm to release a little more forward saddle movement.

The stem I changed prior to fit from -6deg / 110mm to +6deg / 100mm. To reduce reach and lift it a little. Phil suggested 60mm narrower bars to mirror my shoulder width.

My cleats were moved back about 10mm and with that and saddle moved forward gave me a PB on a Rouvy climb.

Phil also suggested 5mm shorter cranks.

Details of and a sample of one suggests it isn’t just a bike fit you need to budget for but the bits to customise fit - in my case circa £500 plus a power meter as my current one is crank based. Can sell the original stuff on but the demand is for narrow bars and short cranks so probably not worth it.

All told you might be looking at £800-1000 . Only money though and an opportunity to practice man maths and fire up the shredder for the receipts!

Anyway from your post id be looking at an endurance type bike..

Edited by ian in lancs on Monday 17th March 21:29

Edited by ian in lancs on Monday 17th March 21:39

Edited by ian in lancs on Tuesday 18th March 12:43

[bigdom]

I used James at Sigma Sports, before he got his own shop. I'm 195cm, size 50 feet, had back surgery when I was 18, and knee issues. As I increased my mileage, it was becoming more problematic.

For me, the best money I had spent on cycling. My bike was adjusted, so were my shoes. It solved my fitment issues, i'm now very comfy. I can go all day with no concern, and still wake up and go again.

You come away with a detailed output, so it's easy to transfer these settings to other bikes/make the right selection on future purchases

Edited by bigdom on Tuesday 18th March 11:09

[DaveyBoyWonder]

For £300 I don't think I'd be bothering with a bike fit. You say you're near a bike shop? Take the bike in, explain what the problem is and I'm sure they'd help out and maybe even try and few different stem options whilst you were there to see what felt good? A replacement stem could be anything from a tenner upwards so could be a cheap change.

Alternatively an adjustable stem isn't expensive: https://www.merlincycles.com/system-ex-adjustable-...

5 minute job to switch it over as well.

[Salted_Peanut]

tim0409 said:

Hi there
Due to a childhood condition I have one leg shorter than the other, which is corrected by both an internal and external heel lift

How about starting with a podiatrist with particular expertise in cycling orthotics? If I were in your cycling shoes, that's where I would start. You'll likely appreciate that cycling orthotics differ significantly from those for regular shoes, so it's worth finding a podiatrist with expertise in cycling orthotics.

DaveyBoyWonder said:

For £300 I don't think I'd be bothering with a bike fit.

I might agree regarding a regular rider, albeit I found a professional bike fit invaluable. However, the OP has one leg shorter than the other, requiring both an internal and external heel lift. That suggests the OP could greatly benefit from a professional bike fit or, to start with, seeing a podiatrist who specialises in cycling orthotics.

However, not all bike fitters are equal. In the OP's situation, I would want to find a particularly expert fitter if I were going to spend that much money.

[tim0409]

Thanks SP. I will speak to the orthotist at the hospital I use (he is really helpful) with a view to finding out if he can recommend a specialist. I previously used the Edinburgh University sports department so they may also be able to help.

On the back of this thread, I’ve actually decided to sell my Cannondale and look into getting fitted for a more upright hybrid bike; when I think back to my previous hybrid bike I really preferred the riding position, and in terms of the motorbikes I’ve owned I’ve always avoided sports bikes in favour of upright/adventure style bikes.

Will report back. I’ve never sold a bike before so will see how that goes before committing to purchasing a new one.

[ZetecTDCI]

My left femur is 30mm shorter than the right after a motorbike accident. When I resumed cycling after that I used different length cranks (partly due to limited l.knee mobility). I now ride equal length cranks, but its an option to consider.